Accountability software

Accountability software, or Internet accountability software, is software which monitors and reports Internet usage, in order to incentivize the avoidance of any content deemed objectionable. Accountability software may monitor Internet use on a personal computer, or Internet use by a specific user on a computer.[1] These software applications then generate reports of Internet use viewable by a third party, sometimes called an accountability partner.[2] It sometimes also doubles as content-control software.

To try to avoid pornography use, some individuals install accountability software,[3] and filtering software, on their own computers, smartphones, and tablets. Others install such software on their children's computers and devices. "Internet accountability" is a neologism used to describe a commitment to refrain from using Internet pornography.[4]

The largest users of accountability software are religious groups and families.[5] One of the largest for-profit companies marketing accountability software, called Covenant Eyes, makes roughly US $4 million per year from around 56,000 customers who pay for a subscription.[6] Ever Accountable, Accountable2You, and Lion are other popular for-profit companies who have designed accountability software for various platforms. Each company uses a slightly different approach for providing protective internet experiences.[7]

Most accountability software costs money to use, but there are free options including Net Responsibility (for Mac OS and Linux) and the free version of X3watch (for Windows and Mac OS). A 2011 Swinburne University report discusses some commercial options for computers, including Safe Eyes and Covenant Eyes.[8] Smartphone and tablet users, if they do not want to pay for accountability software, may still be able to obtain no-cost filtering software.